February 3, 1979 Wendy and I promised each other to love, cherish, and be faithful to one another….for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death us does part. My Dad did the wedding and Bob Ratcliff assisted. The ceremony was wonderful but brief and I am reminded that it’s about the relationship, not the wedding! Well, here we are 45 years later!

We were married in Mississauga, moved to Toronto, then to Listowel and back to Mississauga, next to Hamilton, and then up to Ottawa, and then out of Ontario to Calgary! From Calgary to Edmonton, then to Toronto, and then back to Edmonton for retirement. Lots of stories in each of those places and each of those moves.

We have a wonderful family – too numerous to mention and many many friends. Our working lives have been full and fulfilling. We have travelled around North America and been to the UK together.

We have helped each other with surgeries and sickness and held each other in our personal losses and victories. We have had our share of disagreements, but as I told the boys, it doesn’t take much to say “I’m sorry I was wrong”. We have raised our children, and now enjoying our grandchildren! We love our parents and grandparents and have many great memories of our aunts, uncles and cousins. We have celebrated our anniversaries in many different ways! For a number of years, we were on our officers retreat! But no more.

For our 25th anniversary, we were living in Calgary and we spent a few nights at a lovely resort on Tunnel Mountain and had dinner at the Banff Springs Hotel.

I bought Wendy a beautiful diamond and sapphire ring – still the most expensive piece of jewelry I have ever purchased. She wears it on her right hand and I love seeing it.

Getting married in the winter people wondered why on earth we would do that. We couldn’t figure out what the weather or time of year had to do with it? It’s Canada – we’re Canadians, come on you can marry any time of the year.

Those who have long marriages will understand what I mean when I say that our relationship has deepened. The things we know about each other, the challenges we have faced together, and the joys we have enjoyed give our relationship a depth that is hard to explain.

We have 45 years and we hope to have many more.